There are seven sotoyu (public hot spring bath facilities) in Kinosaki. A tour of sotoyu is very popular among Japanese visitors and many look forward to going on the tour rather than taking a bath at their hotels. You can try all the seven sotoyu facilities with different constructions and atmospheres. Sotoyu facilities are free while you are checked-in at your hotel. These sotoyu facilities close at 11 p.m. (entrance until 10:30 p.m.), and open from 7 a.m. (except for some facilities).

A digital ticket “Yumepa” for sotoyu is a convenient ticket for those who want to go around the sotoyu facilities and stroll around the town.

Map of Sotoyu (seven baths)

Seven independent bathhouses ‘Sotoyu’ in Kinosaki Onsen are dotted on both sides of the Ohtanigawa River between JR Kinosaki-onsen Station and Yakushi Park. Let’s go out for Sotoyu tour after putting on ‘Yukata’ kimono and ‘Geta’ wooden clogs. There are large number of souvenir shops and restaurants along the Onsen Street. You will be able to enjoy authentic style of Onsen town.View Kinosaki Onsen in a larger map

＜Reference materials＞

http://ja.wikipedia.org/

http://www.kinosaki-hotsprings.com/

http://www.kinosaki-spa.gr.jp/

http://onsenyado.sakura.ne.jp/

http://www.kiyamachikoji.com/

■For travelers from overseas

As a certified guide-interpreter in English and also a writer of the website “Cool Japan Guide”, I am very happy to introduce ‘Kinosaki Onsen Resort’ in Hyogo Prefecture. If you have something to ask, like to make reservation, or need English speaking tour guide when visit there, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your kind cooperation, I am looking forward to your contact.

If you like to build a real Japanese style hot spring facility in your country, I would like to introduce one of the best Japanese architects, Mr. Hiroshi Ebisawa, who is the author of a technical book ‘ONSEN’ specialized in design for Japanese Style SPA. The bilingual book written in Japanese-English is published by Rikuyosha Co. (http://www.rikuyosha.co.jp/) which is available at most bookstores in Japan.